NBC News Special Correspondent Tom Brokaw has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer and said he and his physicians are very encouraged with the progress he is making.

Brokaw, who has worked at NBC News since 1966, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting blood cells in the bone marrow, in August at the Mayo Clinic. His doctors are optimistic about the outcome of the treatment he is receiving, and Brokaw said he remains “the luckiest guy I know.”

Throughout the treatment, Brokaw has continued to work on NBC News projects, including a two-hour documentary on the assassination of JFK; appearances on “TODAY,” “Nightly News with Brian Williams,” “Meet the Press” and MSNBC. He is also contributing to NBC Sports coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Here is his full personal statement released on Tuesday:
“With the exceptional support of my family, medical team and friends, I am very optimistic about the future and look forward to continuing my life, my work and adventures still to come.”

“I remain the luckiest guy I know.”

“I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter.”

The heat is on and the knives are out New Zealand. The biggest show on TV is about to get even bigger with a local version of reality phenomenon, My Kitchen Rules, confirmed for TV2!

Kiwis who fancy a shot at stardom can apply for MKR NZ here.

My Kitchen Rules Australia is a multi-night ratings titan in NZ with its fourth and most recent season being by far the most watched show of 2013 by Kiwis aged 18 – 49 – TV2’s core audience.

The decision to do a local version came down to this huge success says TV2 Programmer John Kelly:

“New Zealanders just couldn’t get enough of My Kitchen Rules, with 2013 being the highest-rating season yet. For this reason, we are thrilled to be teaming with format-owners Seven Network Australia, Endemol, through who the format was licensed, and Imagination TV who will produce the first local version of MKR, where Kiwi teams will battle it out in the instant restaurant rounds and create dishes and drama that will captivate the nation.”

MKR is an epic cooking competition, but it’s the chemistry between fascinating personalities thrown into dramatic challenges that has had audiences hooked for four years on TV2.

My Kitchen Rules NZ will be the television event of 2014, dishing up these twists and turns with an untapped bunch of dynamic Kiwi duos.

There’ll be more details announced soon on the local version, which goes to air later this year.

Hugh Sundae has joined Kiwi FM as the new host of Beck’s Voices from the Wilderness, the weekly show that champions unsigned and undiscovered acts.

His first show is 6pm-7pm, Tuesday 11 February.

Programme Director Tim Homer says: “Hugh is an exciting addition to the Kiwi FM team. He brings a wealth of experience and a passion for local music to the station.”

Hugh Sundae says: “I’m 36 now. I can’t afford a convertible and I’m happily married, so joining a hip radio station was really the only midlife crisis available to me.”

Hugh kicked off his broadcasting career as a 14-year-old when he joined 95bFM. He went on to host the Auckland radio station’s iconic breakfast show. Hugh’s television career spans entertainment reporting for TVNZ’s news and current affairs division, and co-hosting music and entertainment shows including Music Nation, Space TV and Ice As.

Hugh is currently also Digital Entertainment Producer for NZ Herald Online, producing live streams of events such as the APRA Silver Scrolls and the Critics’ Choice Prize Showcase. He also produces the Sundae Sessions, exclusive music sessions recorded and filmed at York Street Studios, and in recent years, he has teamed up with Ant Timpson to stage The Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards aka The Moas.

Kiwi FM proudly champions existing and emerging talent from New Zealand and around the world, and plays at least 60% New Zealand music. Key shows include The Kiwi FM Breakfast with Nathan and Ben, and Afternoon Delight with Charlotte Ryan.

Beck’s Voices from the Wilderness airs Tuesdays 6pm-7pm and is repeated Fridays 6am-7am.